Clark Montgomery (USA) becomes the first name on the 2008 FEI Eventing World Cup™ leaderboard after kicking off the new season with a win at Tallahassee, Florida (USA), on Up Spirit
There were 25 starters in the dressage, led by Corinne Ashton on Dobbin (43 penalties), but she was eliminated across country. Montgomery, 26, rose from third to take the lead at this point, adding 12.8 penalties, the second fastest time, to his dressage score of 44.7. Alison Springer and Arthur remained in second place, with 20 time penalties to add to 43.4.
There were eight clears from the 22 starters around Mark Phillips’s (GBR) course at Red Hills, so called for the local red earth, and constructed by new builder Eric Bull. The fastest time, of 9.4, was recorded by Selena O’Hanlon on Colombo. The course winds around the horticulture park and arboretum owned by ecologist Colin Phipps.
The top three all had two stadium rails down apiece, so Montgomery maintained his overnight lead, though Karen O'Connor, third after cross-country on Allstar, moved up a place when Springer clocked an additional 4 time penalties.
The weekend was saddened by two horse fatalities (one in the FEI competition and one in the national competition) and the serious fall which befell Athens Olympian Darren Chiacchia in a preceding national preliminary class. The rider remains in a serious condition, but is reporting to be showing signs of improvement.
The horse Direct Merger, the ride of last year’s winner, Jonathan Hollings, 31, collapsed and died near fence 8. Hollings went on to finish ninth on his 2006 World Cup finalist, Lion King.
The 2008 FEI World Cup™ season comprises 17 qualifiers in 12 countries; nations are currently to hold the final, at the end of the season, and the venue will be announced soon.
Next, the action moves this weekend to Europe, France, at Fontainebleau, where a bumper field of riders from 13 nations includes the reigning European and FEI World Cup™ champion Nicolas Touzaint (FRA), Badminton champion Lucinda Fredericks (AUS), her husband, World silver medallist Clayton (AUS), reigning World Champion Zara Phillips (GBR) on Toytown, European team gold medallist Daisy Dick (GBR) and aspiring Chinese Olympian Alex Hua Tin with four horses.